My Journey

I am a Nigerian, the first child of my parents; born into a polygamous family with my mother having four children and my step mum having six children. I grew up in a hostile environment where emotions were supressed and uncertainty ruled. My childhood was quite challenging and schooling was very tough, especially after my mother moved out of her matrimonial home due to the love lost between her and her husband and the several threats to the survival of her children. There were many days of hunger, sickness, nightmares, depression and pain but the trials strengthened our bond and commitment to support one another always.
Through the encouragement and support of my mother, I had my first degree and almost immediately went for my Masters’ degree. It was tough but through dogged faith, hard work, courage and prayer; I sailed through. After trying my hands at several part time jobs, I was able to pursue my dream in Journalism and this I practised for over 20 years before going into private practice (i.e. media consulting, public speaking and social work). I am married and blessed with children.
We live in a patriarchal society where women are suppressed and oppressed. At the same time she is expected to be quiet and endure every trial while the man gets away with whatever he does to her.
To correct this anomaly, I believe the culture of silence must be broken and women must be allowed to make their choices, to speak out and speak up for themselves; to take decisions that will guarantee their happiness and not to be treated as failures and low class citizens.
This I am doing through the Girls Arise Initiative, a project under our NGO – Bestspring Children & Youth Development Foundation. Bestspring focuses on providing educational, nutritional and psycho-social support to orphans, vulnerable children and youth in under-privileged communities in Nigeria.
The Girls Arise project is aimed at mentoring and safeguarding the girl child against abuse and giving them a voice and platform to rise above the limitation imposed on them by society, even as we encourage them to aspire and achieve the seemingly impossible. This initiative is also aimed at providing a strong and safe platform for computer literacy and digital empowerment. With the support and encouragement of members of the World Pulse family, we will surely get there.